Nigerian Football

Rivers United eye Champions’ League Group Stage

Published

9 years ago

February 21, 2017

Rivers United which will face perennial continental competitors, Al-Merrikh of Sudan in the next round of the CAF Champions League are confident of retaining the form that saw them pummel Malian side, Real Bamako last Sunday.

According to the Media Officer of the club, Sammy Wejinya, midfielders: Bernard Ovoke and Esosa Igbinoba have both spoken about their happiness following starring roles in Sunday’s CAF Champions League defeat of AS Real Bamako.

The duo helped themselves to braces as United outclassed the Malian side 4-0 in the second leg, preliminary round clash at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Ovoke explained that the weight of expectation as he prepared to take a 35th minute penalty which saw him open the scoring never weighed him down.

“I was not nervous before I took that spot kick. I am never nervous in such situations.

“All I was thinking about was making sure I hit the ball as hard as I could.

“It is a privilege to be the first ever Rivers United player to score in the CAF Champions League,” he told the club’s official website, www.riversunitedfc.com

Igbinoba also spoke about his goal scoring contributions. The midfielder said it was pleasing to score while adding that the big win over the Malians was not as easy as the score line suggested.

“I wasn’t happy that I had not scored for the club in my previous matches so to score twice in such an important match means a lot to me.

“It was a big win but the match was very difficult for us, especially in the first half.

“The turning point was our second goal. I think they gave up after that,” he said.

Rivers United will face Sudanese club, Al-Merrikh, over two legs, in the first round of the competition.

The first leg will be played in Port Harcourt on March 12 with the return fixture taking place at the Al-Merrikh Stadium, Omdurman a week later. The winner of the tie will qualify for the group stage of the competition.

Nigerian Football

Nigerian Midfielder Daniel Daga Sentenced to Six Months in Norway, Plans Appeal

Published

7 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Nigerian footballer Daniel Daga has been sentenced to six months in prison by a Norwegian court after being found guilty of committing a sexual act without consent.

The verdict was delivered on Tuesday by the Nordmøre og Romsdal District Court following a case linked to an incident reported in April 2025.

According to Norwegian broadcaster TV 2, the 19-year-old midfielder was also ordered to pay 10,000 Norwegian kroner (about $900) in legal costs, a sentence that reportedly aligned with the prosecution’s request.

Daga, who plays for Molde FK, has denied wrongdoing and plans to appeal the decision.

His lawyer, Astrid Bolstad, said the player was deeply disappointed with the ruling and insists the encounter was consensual.

“He is very upset about the verdict. He believes he is innocent and that everything happened with consent,” Bolstad said, adding that the verdict is not yet legally binding and will be challenged.

Under Norwegian legal procedures, the case remains open until the appeal process is concluded.

Club Responds

Molde FK confirmed it was aware of the court’s decision and said the player would not be included in the club’s matchday squad for the time being.

“This is a very difficult case for everyone involved,” the club said in a statement.

“As an employer, Molde Football Club has a responsibility to take care of our employees in a responsible manner while also having great respect for the seriousness of the case and the burden it places on all affected parties.”

The club had earlier suspended Daga from training and matches in December 2025 while the legal proceedings were ongoing.

Rising Nigerian Prospect

Daga joined Molde ahead of the 2025 season from Enyimba FC, one of Nigeria’s most successful clubs.

Before moving to Europe, he had featured in the Nigeria Premier Football League after earlier spells with FC One Rocket and Dakkada FC.

At international level, the midfielder represented the Nigeria U‑20 national team and was the youngest player named in the squad for the 2023 FIFA U‑20 World Cup.

He started every match for Nigeria until the team was eliminated in the quarter-finals by South Korea.

Since arriving in Norway, Daga has made 17 appearances for Molde, scoring three goals and establishing himself as one of the promising young African players in the Scandinavian league.

Reaction from Fans

The case has generated strong reactions among Nigerian football fans, many expressing shock and disappointment while drawing comparisons with similar incidents involving young African players in Europe.

Some supporters have also highlighted the broader challenges faced by emerging African talents playing abroad.

For now, Daga’s immediate future in Norwegian football remains uncertain as he prepares to challenge the court’s decision through the appeal process.

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Nigerian Football

Super Eagles’ Four-Nation Tournament in Jeopardy as Middle East Tensions Escalate

Published

1 week ago

March 2, 2026

Kunle Solaja

By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria’s planned participation in a four-nation invitational tournament later this month is facing serious uncertainty after a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

The Super Eagles were scheduled to compete in Amman, Jordan, from March 27 to 31, alongside Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica, as part of preparations for future competitive fixtures and squad building. But recent geopolitical developments have cast doubt over whether the event can still go ahead as planned.

An official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed to Sports Village Square that the situation is being closely monitored, with security and travel concerns emerging as key factors in deciding the tournament’s fate.

The doubts stem from joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities and sparked retaliatory actions across the region, including reports of attacks and counter-attacks in neighbouring countries.

The unfolding crisis has already led to airspace closures, flight cancellations and broader travel disruptions in the Gulf and Levant, complicating international travel plans for teams and supporters alike.

The Super Eagles had planned to open the tournament against Iran on March 27 at the Amman International Stadium before facing hosts Jordan four days later. However, Iran’s participation itself is now in question as the security situation deepens and Iranian football authorities weigh their options amid the conflict.

The tournament was seen as a valuable opportunity for head coach Eric Chelle to assess his squad in a competitive setting before the next major competitions, which include the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.

Jordan, who will make their own debut at the 2026 World Cup, was using the event to build momentum on home soil, but the escalating crisis places not just Nigeria’s fixtures at risk, but the entire mini-tournament.

The NFF has not yet announced an alternative plan should the tournament be cancelled or postponed.

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Nigerian Football

Bendel Insurance’s Big Statement, Rangers Rise as Leaders Slip In NPFL

Published

1 week ago

March 1, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Bendel Insurance make bold statement with a 4-0 emphatic win over title contenders, Ikorodu City

Matchday drama unfolded across centres in the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) as title contenders stumbled, traditional powerhouses flexed their muscles, and the race for continental places tightened significantly.

Rivers United’s grip at the top suffered a dent after a shock 1–0 defeat to Bayelsa United in a tense South-South derby. The slim victory handed Bayelsa a crucial three points while slowing Rivers’ momentum at a critical stage of the season.

The biggest statement of the weekend came from Bendel Insurance, who dismantled Ikorodu City 4–0 in a ruthless display. Insurance were clinical from start to finish, overpowering their visitors and boosting both their goal difference and their standing in the upper half of the table. For Ikorodu City, who had been firmly in the mix near the summit, the heavy loss could prove costly in the long run.

Enugu Rangers also strengthened their position with a composed 2–0 victory over Nasarawa United. The Flying Antelopes controlled proceedings and capitalised on their chances, ensuring maximum points against a direct rival in the race for honours. With Rivers United dropping points, Rangers’ win significantly narrows the gap at the top.

In Aba, Enyimba were held to a 1–1 draw by Kun Khalifat in a fiercely contested encounter. The People’s Elephant had to settle for a point despite home advantage, a result that may affect their ambitions of climbing into the continental qualification spots.

Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes and Warri Wolves played out a goalless draw in a tightly fought affair where defences dominated, and clear chances were scarce.

Remo Stars continued their battle against relegation with a 2–0 triumph over Katsina United in Ikenne.

Remo Stars begin redemption course with a 2-0 defeat of Katsina United

Ibadan, Shooting Stars delighted their supporters with a spirited 2–1 victory over Kano Pillars. The Oluyole Warriors demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline to edge the encounter, keeping their push for a higher finish on track.

Sunday Results